Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents charge three Sussex men with 50 hunting violations

LAUREL (March 8, 2013) – An investigation into illegal hunting practices that began last October culminated in DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement agents arresting three Sussex County men and charging them with a total of 50 violations of Delaware’s hunting laws. The three men were taken into custody and arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown on Feb. 24.

·Kyle A. Trice, 18, of Laurel, was charged with 30 violations: five counts of possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle, five counts of shooting near a roadway, five counts of hunting from a motor vehicle, five counts of hunting at night, five counts of hunting deer during a closed season, and five counts of third degree conspiracy. Trice was released on $15,000 unsecured bond, pending trial in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas/Superior Court.

·John M. Adkins, 20, of Laurel, was charged with 18 violations: five counts of hunting at night, five counts of hunting deer during a closed season, five counts of third degree conspiracy, and one count each of failure to tag antlerless deer, failure to register antlerless deer and butchering antlerless deer prior to registration. Adkins was released on $9,000 unsecured bond, pending trial in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas/Superior Court.

·Cody L. Pistoia, 20, of Delmar, was charged with hunting at night and third degree conspiracy. He pled guilty to hunting at night and was ordered to pay $534 in fines and court costs.

“These charges represent serious violations of Delaware’s hunting laws. The majority of Delaware hunters respect and support these laws,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement. “Our mission as Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents includes enforcing these laws and other state statutes designed to conserve and protect our wildlife and natural resources – and catching those who break them.”

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Section works to achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety. Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section by calling 302-739-4580.